Are you considering adding fruit trees to your central Florida yard? There are so many varieties of fruit trees from temperate to tropical that it’s hard to know what will grow here. Join us in today’s episode to learn about what fruit trees can be grown in central Florida yards.

Sources for Show Notes:    

• Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:    
  https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/    

• In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]    

• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/     

• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @PolkGardening  

• USDA Hardiness Zone Map: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ 

• Mango: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG216 

• Papaya: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG054 

• Lychee: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG051 

• Banana: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG040 

• Link to YouTube, Growing Bananas in Your Central Florida Landscape: https://youtu.be/kdX-zPQCwag?si=CvS79gvDJHhaL_FP 

• Citrus: https://crec.ifas.ufl.edu/home-citrus/  

• Citrus: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/fruits/citrus/ 

• Peach: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/fruits/peaches/ 

• Mulberry: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/fruits/mulberry/ 

 Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio. 

Do you have a favorite fragrant plant? Looking to add more fragrance to your landscape? Join us to find out about bringing fragrance into your landscape with plants.

Sources for Show Notes:    

• Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:    
  https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/    

• In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]    

• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/     

• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @PolkGardening  

• Fragrance Gardens https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/types-of-gardens/fragrance-gardens/ 

• Fragrant Houseplants https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/houseplants/fragrant-houseplants/ 

• Fifty Fragrant Plants For Florida Landscapes https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/brevardco/2020/04/07/fifty-fragrant-plants-for-florida-landscapes/ 

• The Strongest Sense https://sites.psu.edu/sml6791/2022/04/28/the-strongest-sense/ 

• Physiological Effects of a Garden Plant Smellscape from the Perspective of Perceptual Interaction https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10048905/ 

• Insect Odorscapes: From Plant Volatiles to Natural Olfactory Scenes https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31427985/  

• "Fragrantly Florida-Friendly": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdGkitsNvp8 

• Sensory gardens: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/design/types-of-gardens/sensory-gardens/ 

• Find all of the plants mentioned in today’s episode by searching for the plant name on Gardening Solutions: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/ 

  Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio. 

Houseplants are popular, but they aren’t always easy to grow. In this episode, we’ll share tips for keeping your houseplants healthy and help you get started with indoor gardening.

Sources for Show Notes:   

• Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:    https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/   

• In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]   

• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    

• Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @PolkGardening 

• Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants

• Houseplants Light Requirements and Selecting Appropriate Plants: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/houseplant-list.pdf

• Light for Houseplants: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/houseplants/light-for-houseplants/

  Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.

Ready to add a splash of color to your central Florida yard! Join us as we highlight summer flowers that thrive in the heat, attract pollinators, and keep your landscape vibrant all season long.

Sources for Show Notes:    

• Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:    
  https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/    

• In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]    

• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/     

Join us for A Gardener’s Story, a special bonus episode where we sit down with a UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer who’s dedicating their time and expertise to help our communities thrive. Stay tuned as we dig into the inspiring story of Betty, a Master Gardener Volunteer with UF/IFAS Extension.   

Sources for Show Notes:    

• Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:    
  https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/    

• In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]    

• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/   

• Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/florida-master-gardener-program/    

Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio. 

In this episode, we’re diving into how to grow the herbs you’ll actually use—and how to make the most of them in the kitchen. From choosing the right herbs for Central Florida gardens to cooking tips and health benefits, we’ve got your herb questions covered!

Sources for Show Notes:  

• Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:   
  https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/   

• In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]   

• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    

• Herbs in the Florida Garden https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/edibles/vegetables/herbs/ 

• Herbs: A Series of Helpful Fact Sheets https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2021/05/04/herbs-a-series-of-helpful-fact-sheets/ 

• Homemade Potting Mix https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/homemade-potting-mix/ 

• Advanced Seed Starting (info on scarification) https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/planting/advanced-seed-starting/ 

• Does Cilantro Taste Like Soap to You?  https://ourbloodinstitute.org/blood-matters/cilantro-tastes-like-soap/    

• Why Does Cilantro Taste Like Soap to Some People? https://www.britannica.com/story/why-does-cilantro-taste-like-soap-to-some-people    

• Clinical Efficacy and Tolerability of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) in Psychological Well-Being: A Review https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11510126/ 

• Shopping for Health: Herbs and Spices https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FS225  

• National Herb Day: 1st Saturday in May  

• National More Herbs, Less Salt Day: Aug 29 

Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio.

Insects—whether pests or garden helpers—are an essential part of gardening in central Florida. This episode explores how a toolbox approach can help manage insect issues effectively and keep your garden thriving. 

Sources for Show Notes:   

• Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:   
  https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/   

• In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]   

• Your Central Florida Yard page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    

• Landscape Pests App  https://pest.ifas.ufl.edu/ 

• Landscape Integrated Pest Management https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/in109  

• Different Pests Cause Different Damage https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/pests/management/different-pests-different-damage.html  

• Plant Pests https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/pests/  

• Natural Pest and Disease Management https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/pests/management/natural-pest-and-disease-management.html  

• Soaps, Detergents, and Pest Management https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/pests/management/soaps-detergents-and-pest-management.html 

Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio. 

Join us for A Gardener’s Story, a special bonus episode where we sit down with a UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer who’s dedicating their time and expertise to help our communities thrive. Stay tuned as we dig into the inspiring story of Celia, a Master Gardener Volunteer with UF/IFAS Extension.   

Sources for Show Notes:    

• Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:    
  https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/    

• In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]    

• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/   

• Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program: https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/florida-master-gardener-program/    

Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio. 

What is No Mow March? Well, it’s a movement encouraging homeowners to put their lawnmowers away for the month of March. The idea is to let your lawn grow naturally, which provides a temporary refuge for pollinators like bees and butterflies. Join us to learn more about No Mow March in today's episode! 

Sources for Show Notes:   

• Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:   
  https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/   

• In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]   

• Your Central Florida page https://centralfloridayard.substack.com/    

• No Mow March: 
  https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/escambia/lawn-and-garden/no-mow-march/ 
   

• Making a pollinator hotel fact sheet: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/ljqwghsmys0yxu8sefuw8/AEGEZ5ECiF0PeBOEgN7Tz7o/Creating%20a%20Pollinator%20Hotel.pdf?rlkey=z8hlixi5091pnf8xuovsc3psp&e=1&dl=0 
   

• Attracting Native Bees to Your Florida Landscape: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1255 

• Plants for Pollinators: https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/bee-plants/  

• Support Florida’s Pollinators All Year Long https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2024/06/21/support-floridas-pollinators-all-year-long/ 

  
  

Podcast introduction and closing music: "Green Beans" by Big Score Audio. 

In this episode we explore edible plants that not only thrive in our unique climate but also align with Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles.  

Sources for Show Notes:   

• Find your local UF/IFAS Extension office:   
  https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/find-your-local-office/   

• In Polk County, contact the Plant Clinic at 863-519-1041, [email protected]   

• Your Central Florida pagehttps://centralfloridayard.substack.com/